As far as Malbec is concerned, I prefer the Terrazas Alto over the basic offerings of both Norton and Alamos (a Catena brand). You will often find these three labels at the low end (price wise) in many decent restaurants. If you are on a tight budget, or just want something to go with pasta or pizza, I'd recommend the Terrazas Malbec or Cabernet.



John

John-- In a similar price band to the Terrazas Alto, I suggest you try the Juan Benegas Malbec and the Luna Benegas Cabernet. Outside of straight varietals, Benegas also makes an entry level blend under their label Don Tiburcio which I think is a very strong performer. Im not sure if you can get Benegas in SFO, but sourcing these wines in EZE should be no problem.

jancis robinson did argentina. FT article of march 3/4. article starts like most JC articles(locked in room, tasting over 100 wines a day....).

results can be seen here:

http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/20070225

I had purchased a few cases of the tittarelli tempranillo that ms robinson so dislikes. I was amazed as to how delicious I thought this wine to be.

Thanks for the heads up on the JC article... your comment reminds me how important it is to calibrate each & everyone�s palate to a given wine writer.

http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/...ighlight=doble

note signature on first post in thread

further posts on the way down.

Yeah.... Robert Parker created a huge stir with this wine, I got 25 calls a day for weeks after that thread got started.... the wine is not sold in Argentina, export market only. I havent been able to get my hands on this, despite trying very hard to do so.

Forget that I present here the malbecs available at La Cabana in Buenos
Aires I have had a few and will note them, these go from expensive down
(IIRC)

Escorihuela Gascon one of my favorite $15 Malbecs
Achaval Ferrer I have seen this one in the US for $29-40
Rutini Rutini is a major player with a wide variety of price points
Alto Las Hormigas another good one
as are Norton and Terrazas

If you can't find any of these ... well, ask again!

Palo Domingo
Domingo Hnos., Yacochuya, Cafayate, Salta

Achaval Ferrer Altamira Ultra Premium
Achaval Ferrer, Finca Altamira, Mendoza


Yacochuya
San Pedro de Yacochuya, Cafayate, Salta

Angelica Zapata Alta
Fincas Catena Zapata, Agrelo, Mendoza

Val De Flores
Monteviejo, Vista Flores, Tunuy�n, Mendoza

Cadus
Nieto Senetiner, Vistalba, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Alto Alta Vista
Alta Vista, Finca Las Compuertas, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Do�a Paula Seleccion De Bodega
Vi�a Do�a Paula, Ugarteche, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Rutini Antologia XII
Bodega La Rural, Maip�, Mendoza

Rutini
Bodega La Rural, La Consulta, San Carlos, Mendoza

LindaFlor
Bodega Monteviejo, Monteviejo, Vista Flores, Mendoza

Piedra Negra
Jacques & Fran�ois Lurton, Valle de Uco, Tunuy�n, Mendoza

J. Alberto
Bodega Noem�a, R�o Negro, Patagonia

Ruca Mal�n Kinien
Bodega Ruca Mal�n, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Alto Las Hormigas Reserva
Alto Las Hormigas, Las Compuertas, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Finca La Anita
La Anita, Alto Agrelo, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Historico
Finca El Plumerillo, Colonia Las Rosas, Tunuy�n, Mendoza

Monteviejo
Bodega Monteviejo, Monteviejo, Vista Flores, Mendoza

Matices De Abril
Bodegas Abril, Tunuy�n, Mendoza

Family Reserve
Finca La Perserverancia, San Rafael, Mendoza

Tierras Altas Malbec Crianza
Vargas Arizu, Vistalba, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Carmelo Patti
Finca El Lagar, Mayor Drummond, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Reserva
Fincas Don Martino, Mayor Drummond, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Laborum
Bodega El Porvenir, Valle del Cafayate, Salta
Partidas limitadas de 5.181 botellas

Domingo Molina
Domingo Hnos., Yacochuya, Cafayate, Salta

Famiglia Bianchi
Bodega Valent�n Bianchi, San Rafael, Mendoza

Del Fin Del Mundo
Bodega del Fin del Mundo, San Patricio del Cha�ar, Neuqu�n

Gran Malbec. Flecha de los Andes
Bodega Flecha de los Andes, Vista Flores, Mendoza

Do�a Paula Estate
Vi�a Do�a Paula, Alto Ugarteche, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Saint Felicien
Bodega Catena Zapata, Agrelo, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Alto Las Hormigas
Alto Las Hormigas, Las Compuertas, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Achaval Ferrer. Malbec Mendoza
Perdriel, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Perdriel Coleccion Privada
Bodega Norton, Perdriel, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Terrazas Reserva
Terrazas de los Andes, Vistalba, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Obra Prima Malbec Reserva
Familia Cassone, Mayor Drummond, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Cinco Tierras
Bodega Banfi, Agrelo, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Finca Sophenia
Sophenia, Tupungato, Gualtayari, Mendoza

Luigi Bosca Reserva
Bodega Leoncio Arizu, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Lamarca
Bodega Lamarca, Tupungato, Mendoza

Altocedro Reserva
Vino de Autor, Santa Rosa, Mendoza

Vi�a Amalia
Finca La Amalia, Altamira, San Carlos, Mendoza

Terrazas
Terrazas de los Andes, Vistalba, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

El Peral
Finca El Peral, Tupungato, Mendoza

Escorihuela Gascon
Bodegas Escorihuela, La Consulta, Vistalba y Agrelo, Mendoza

Gran Malbec
Bodega Flecha de los Andes, Vista Flores, Mendoza

Reserva Malbec
Bodega Jacques & Francois Lurton, Tunuyam, Mendoza

El Plumerillo
Finca El Plumerillo, Colonia Las Rosas, Tunuy�n, Mendoza

Santa Ercilia
Bodega Nogal, Valle de Uco, Mendoza

Pascual Toso
Pascual Toso Bodegas y Vi�edos, Finca Las Barrancas, Maip�, Mendoza

Fabre - Montmayou
Domaine Vistalba, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Martino
Fincas Don Martino, Agrelo, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza

Norton Doc
Norton, Luj�n de Cuyo, Mendoza


this was posted by a personallity named:joseph coulter

Great list of wines.... quite a few I like, others not so much... alas, thats the wonderful thing about wine, or...?

Alex - I picked up a case of this at my local wine merchant today (in California). I was initially confused because my merchant's web site listed it as "Poesia" Pasodoble, and the shelf tag (and also tagged on the case) was Masi Tupungato Passo Doble. But it's the real thing. Price was US$11.99.

I was impressed by a bottle of Clos de Andes Malbec that I opened last week from the same enterprise ($12.99 at Costco in the US). Still plenty of aging potential in this one.

I also picked up a bottle of the Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes ($11.99 retail) - since you and Jancis both agree on this :-)

Saludos!

John

John... Great buys !!!

BTW, can I trouble you with the fine print on the back label of the Passodoble...? Im looking for website, producer name, maybe a legend that says "bottled by INV _____". Any details you could post on this issue would be really helpful.

The Poesia issue you mention could be because Im assuming that the same importer supplies the Passodoble and the Poesia wines to the retailer you bought your stuff from.

Alex -

Here's the info. Note the this is Pasodoble (c.f. Masi Tupungato Passo Doble). My wine merchant has carried all three wines, and they corrected the SKU/database entry when I pointed out the mismatch.
Is the INV entry the registration number from the Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura? (Note: the web site www.vignoblesgarcin.com is under construction). Now all you need is a taste ....

And congratulazioni on the impending Gauchito!!!


Front label:
Black background, 2005 and ARGENTINA in white lettering, PASODOBLE in red, B/W picture of a couple dancing.

Back label:
PASODOBLE
•AN ARGENTINEAN SENSATION•
2005


A blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Malbec and 33% Syrah, this seductive wine reflects its Argentinean heritage combined with the expertise of the French family who made it. Try the wine slightly chilled and its passionate style will capture your imagination and sweep you on to the dance floor.

Helène Garcin Alain Raynaud

INV-M.N843441-E

750ml www.vignoblesgarcin.com ALC. 14,5% BY VOL.

PRODUCT OF ARGENTINA

RED WINE MENDOZA - ARGENTINA 34% Cab. Sauv. 33% Malbec 33% Syrah. BOTTLED BY BODEGA No INV B71660 FOR SELECCION VINEA S.A. No EXP.B87880.
Imported by Wine Source Selections (South Kearny, New Jersey).

John, thank you kindly for the well wishes and also for your research on the label. I will get to work using this information !!!

Cheers,
Alex

The local market has Madrano Melbec on sale for US$4.99. Tell me if it is good.

Hello Baboboy.... are you sure its Madrano, or perhaps Medrano?

If we are talking about Medrano Malbec, its made by a producer called Lagarde. I havent tasted these wines, but from what I read on the web they are young and unoaked varietals, made under the "easy to drink" concept. If you are looking for a lighter, fruit forward wine with medium structure and not overly complex, this should be a good choice.